The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-05-26
A TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Dora Carmichael was an extremely
pretty girl, whom to see was to admire
and perhaps to love, in most mems opinion.
Women did not take precisely this
view of her merits; but then, as we all
know, women are VIGOROUSLY Jealous.
Still even very pretty girl may be con-
sidered as abusing her privileges II she
engages herself to more than two men at
once Now, this was precisely what Miss
Carmichael had done, and was not q little
perplexed by the consequences of her rash
ness. Not only had she, unknown to and
in disobedience of her people, kept on her
engagement with Haselrig Of the artillery,
but to please her parents, and also her
own ambition, she had consented month
or two since to accept Mr.. Lorimer, son
and heir TO old Sir James Lorimer. And
now, to crown all, a fortnight ago, at the
Marsdens' ball, Lord Liscarrol had pro-
posed, and she had not been able to refuse
him.
Concerning Capt. Haselrig she had lit
tie anxiety as he had gone to India on
being forbidden the house by Mr.. Car
michael, who considered the handsome,
impecunious soldier by no means an ell
gible match for his only daughter and
heiress. But it had taxed even her inge-
nuity to keep Mr.. Lorimer and Lord Lis
carroll ignorant of each others claims on
her Lorimer certainly did not suspect
the existence Of a rival; but Liscarrol had
more than once resented tho airs OF pro-
prietorship assumed by the former, and
had pressed Miss Carmichael to allow him
at once to apply to her father. This was
horribly perplexing. Mr.. Carmichael was
a wealthy, self made man, whose fortune
had sprung, as he was only too fond OF
boasting, from the traditional fourpenny
bit He professed ultra radical opinions,
but in his heart was as fond of q lord as
most people, and Dora well knew would
have been as delighted at her latest con-
quest as she herself could have been.
Still, she felt convinced that his word
once pledged he would not let her throw
over Charles Lorimer, even for such q
party as Lord Liscarrol. So she told her
lover q doleful story of stern parents, an
unsympathetic sutton and an oppressed
daughter divided between duty and dis
like to the match proposed.
But are you engaged to that cub Lori
mers" asked Lscarrol impatiently.
mo! o mol certainly not engaged; but
it is very possible might have become so
to please dear papa had not met with
you" This, said with the sweetest tim
idity and a bashful look, had the full ef-
feet intended.
"But now, Dora?'
'Well, now must make the poor fel
low understand it is impossible-give him
his congo, in fact, so decidedly, that, even
self satisfied as he is, he can make no mis-
take, and then coax papa as best can"
Still Liscarrol insisted. .-
But, don't you see, Lord Liscarrol-
well, Arthur, then-that if you go to papa
directly have sent of Mr.. Lorimer, he
will suspect what has occurred, and
would not hesitate to treat you in the
same way2 For do what will, l cannot
help his considering Inc engaged to that
horrid man." 49,
well, when will you give Lorimer his
conge?"
Tomorrow morning. He is coming
about some botanical tickets, and will
speak to him them
Every well, dearest; and may look in
to hear the result, may not''
And so it was settled. Still, it must be
confessed the situation was troublesome
one, and sitting in the library the next
day, Dora thought over her plans rather
anxiously.
Mrs. Carmichael was, or fancied her.
self, an invalid, and rarely showed before
lunch land not always then, though ready
enough for her social duties" later in the
day, so her daughter was at full liberty
to arrange matters as she pleased. Ac-
cordingly she told the butler that if Mr..
LOrimec called, he was at once to be
shown in to her in the library, and that if
Lord Liscarrol should call in the mean.
time, he was to be told she would soon be
disengaged. and be requested to await her
in the dawing room. So far SO good.
But ring at the door bell startled her
from her reverie, and she waited expect
ing to see Lorifner ushered in. Instead Of
that, the visitor was ushered up stairs,
and the butler announced capt. Hasel-
rig" The blow almost staggered her,
but pulling herself together, she went
into the drawing room, and the next mo-
ment was elasped in Haselrig's arms. A
few words sufficed to explain his presence.
had made him master of rather valuable
property, and on the strength of this i'm
provement in his position the young man
had al once rushed back from In
dia, and, as he fondly hoped, success
fully to plead his suit. Whatever heart
she possessed-it was little enough-be-
longed to Haselrig, and she had felt genu-
inc sorrow when her father so entirely de-
clined his proposals; for moment she
wondered if, after all, Haselrig's love
might not be worth q sacrifice. OF Lori
mer she did not think for one second, but
she did remember Liscarrol, and this
dampened her ardor Haselrig was hand
some and fairly rich now, but so was
Lord Liscarrol, and If her love for him
was not so great as for Haselrig, she
adored his coronet. So the old story was
once more related, and by its means she
induced Capt. Haselrig to forego his pur-
pose of seeing her father until she herself
should give him leave to speak; and at
last, to her great relief, she sent him of,
if not satisfied, yet certainly more in love
than ever.
During her conversation with Capt.
Haselrig Dora's sharp ears had caught
the sound of the door bell, so she was
fully prepared to hear that Mr.. Lorimer
was in the library, and went to him at
once. But what she did not know, and
in her hurry would not give the butler
time to tell her, was that Lord Liscarrol
had also arrived, and was at the moment
in the morning room. Now, Lord Lis
carroll was not a particularly impatient
man, but he had had ample time to get
extremely tired of waiting, and, having
exhausted the paper, was beguiling his
leisure by staring out of the window,
when he caught sight of Haselrig leaving
the house.
''By jovel there's HaseIrigv' he ejacu-
lated. "Why, thought he was in India!
I must hunt the dear old fellow up. How
well he's looking, tool Hullo! what's up
now, wonderr' Voices loud, not to say
angry, could be heard in the next room.
"Humph! Lorimer getting his congo, I
suppose. Seems to be catching 10 hot,
too, poor beggar. After all, serve him
right. Why should he try to force the
girl to marry him, when any one else
could see with half an eye she doesn't care
rap for himi Obi but say, he mutt
tered, 81 cannot stop here; shall be hear.
ing what they say next minute"
Leaving message that an appointment
unfortunately prevented his waiting any
longer just then, but he hoped for the
!pleasure of seeing Miss Carmichael later
in the day, Lord Liscarrol left the house.
Ten minutes later, stopping to look at
a jewelers. window, gentleman on leav-
ing the shop brushed past him. 1t was
Hasselrig.
: "Hullo, Haselrig, old fellow, how come
you to be in town. eSases=s r.l
"Why, Liscarrol, is that your
The two young men shook hands vigor-
ously. =
(Which way are you goings To the
club?sThat' right, so am l: come along;"